Research

The Khaudum-Ngamiland to the Okavango Delta landscape constitutes one of the five Wildlife Dispersal Areas of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. It includes several of western Ngamiland's landuse concessions from NG2-NG9 in NW District Botswana and the Khaudum National Park and the NyaeNyae Conservancy in NE Namibia.

As ambush predators, lions and leopards rely on stalking and surprise, so being seen by their prey usually means they abandon their hunt. The i-cow project tests whether tapping into this response - by painting eye patterns onto cattle backsides - can reduce livestock losses and retaliatory killing of carnivores. If successful, this inexpensive tool will help to safeguard large carnivores and livelihoods alike.

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Predator Conservation Program

The goal of the BPCT is to preserve Africa's large carnivore guild, that is African wild dog, cheetah, leopard, African lion and spotted hyaena. In order to achieve this our research focuses on the following:

the behaviour and ecology of threatened and endangered large carnivore species

the effect of human development on wildlife species and their habitats

the impact of management and development policies and activities relating to these areas

Through this line of enquiry we intent to better understand the natural mechanisms of conflict avoidance and strategies for co-existence within the large predator guild, ensuring that the appropriate measures are in place for a healthy guild population in protected lands. Learn more